Rear Bulkhead Covering

[big-boss]

I want to cover my rear bulkhead in leather. Do I cover it in place from side to side covering the frame? Or do I take the pieces out and then cover them and reinstall?
I have the SS frame. Thanks

[ENTDOC]

you are probably the only one to ever want to do this, but I would think taking the pieces out to cover them would be the only way to get a neat job.

[RallySnake]

Big,

I did that years ago. I had a large piece of black leather left over from another project. I made a pattern with newspaper and masking tape that fit the panel exactly. I cut the leather to fit and glued it on. My Arntz has a very smooth curved panel and the leather looked fine for many years. Eventually though, the sun and rain faded the color on of it and it looked pretty bad. (I always keep the Cobra in the garage, the rain happened whle driving on rallies.)

A couple of years ago, I wanted to reduce noise in the cockpit. So, I replaced the leather with a sound absorbing material with carpet over it. I also replaced the mufflers with stainless steel specialties double pass units. My hearing has improved to the point I can carry on a normal conversation, now. My family complains that I play the TV and radio way too loud though.

Paul

[Jamo]

Bill

Mine is simply powder coated (which has worked great BTW) with black painted framing, so this isn't from personal experience.

However, I've seen many leather covered bulkheads on originals and many well done reproductions, and the frame rails are not covered along with the bulkhead. I understand your desire to cover the shiney SS framing though.

I'd cover the bulkhead separately (I presume you don't have the "suitcase" cutout given your late series model) and keep it as smooth as possible to prevent sagging from our high heat. I'd make sleeves which wrap around the frame and close with sewn in velcro (outer edge/won't show) as some do with the down tubes from the dash to the tunnel.

Presume replacement down the road, so KISS.